Kansas man arrested at Litchfield camp

LITCHFIELD — A Kansas man wanted for several drug manufacturing and trafficking charges was arrested Monday without incident at a Jimmy Pond Lane camp.

John Layton, 48, of Wichita, was arrested on a warrant charging him with being a fugitive from justice. Layton was being held Tuesday at the Kennebec County jail without bail as he awaited extradition to Kansas.

Capt. Daniel Davies of the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release that Layton is wanted in Topeka, Kan., on a host of charges associated with manufacturing and possessing methamphetamine with the intention to distribute as well as possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal possession of a firearm. Kansas officials say Layton, a parolee, faces up to 30 years in prison on the charges, Davies said.

“Layton was also found to have an extensive criminal history that included weapons violations and narcotics related offenses,” Davies said.

Layton was arrested around 6:30 p.m. after Kennebec County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Moody received an anonymous tip that Layton was staying at a camp in Litchfield. Moody, with Sheriff’s Corp. G.J. Neagle and his tracking dog, Dracco, saw Layton leave the camp as they approached the Jimmy Pond Lane address.

Layton did not see the sheriff deputies, who used the woods for cover. Moody told Layton he was under arrest.

“Layton turned to see the armed deputies and their canine counterpart,” Davies said. “He immediately surrendered without incident.”

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